Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson and wide receiver Justin Jefferson stood together on the sideline during regular-season action, giving Minnesota’s offense a quick between-series snapshot. During the 2025 regular season, the two pass catchers watched from the boundary as the Vikings reset for another possession and discussed the game flow with teammates nearby on camera. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The NFL regular season is about nine weeks away, and in the meantime, the Minnesota Vikings are one of the NFL’s most interesting teams, according to Bleacher Report. Kristopher Knox at that website ranked the league’s most intriguing teams, and Minnesota made the cut.
The analysis checks out, as Minnesota is one of the few squads with a high-profile quarterback battle this summer.
QB Battle Gives Vikings a Main Hook
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stood on the field after a road matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium, reflecting on another regular-season result. On November 10, 2024, in Jacksonville, O’Connell remained visible after the game as Minnesota wrapped up its afternoon against an AFC opponent away from home. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
BR: Vikings One of the NFL’s Most Interesting
The Vikings checked in at No. 4 on Knox’s list of eight intriguing teams, and he wrote, “This is mainly about the team’s acquisition of Kyler Murray, which paves the way for an intriguing quarterback battle involving the 2019 No. 1 overall pick and third-year first-rounder J.J. McCarthy.”
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“Both face immense pressure to get it together for a team that contains arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, a great offensive line and a high-quality defense.”
The Vikings’ quarterback battle will continue at training camp in three weeks.
Knox continued, “Kevin O’Connell’s squad is barely a year removed from a 14-win season and is built to win right now, but those major quarterback questions are likely to linger throughout the summer.”
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“Throw in the fact that Minnesota will be tested every week in the overwhelmingly strong NFC North, and you have a recipe for intrigue in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Offense
What’s interesting on offense? Damn near everything. At quarterback, onlookers will watch as Murray attempts to forge a Sam Darnold-like season (2024) in 2026. Darnold had no problem asserting himself and utterly thriving in Minnesota; there’s no reason to believe that Murray can’t follow suit. If it’s not Murray, well, it will have meant that McCarthy turned the corner, dethroning Murray for the QB1 job and hoping to resume his path as the Vikings’ quarterback of the future.
The team also has naturally intriguing and explosive playmakers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson. Murray had decent weapons in Arizona over the last seven seasons, but he never really had a stable four-deep like the Vikings offer in 2026.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson signaled after making a reception for a first down against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, flashing early-career confidence. On October 4, 2020, in Houston, Jefferson moved the chains during second-quarter action as Minnesota’s offense looked for rhythm in a road matchup that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports.
For running backs, the outlook is different. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are back for shared RB1-RB2 duty, while Minnesota drafted Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne in Round 6 in April. Claiborne could emerge as a late-round stud, or he could emulate former Vikings running back Ty Chandler’s career, where fans saw glimpses of promise but never the total package.
Defense
The defense is fascinating because it’s straight-up good. Since Brian Flores arrived in Minneapolis, his group ranks second leaguewide in EPA/Play, and recently, the unit held the 2025 season together when the quarterback performance faltered.
There are also newcomers. Minnesota drafted Caleb Banks (DT, Florida), Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati), Domonique Orange (DT, Iowa State), and Jakobe Thomas (S, Miami) in the first three rounds a couple of months ago; the Vikings’ most defense-oriented draft (in the first three rounds) in franchise history. So, there are many new faces to monitor.
It’s also time to get a verdict on outside linebacker Dallas Turner. Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles on April 24th for two 3rd-Round picks, one of which has already been used on the aforementioned safety Thomas. Another will transfer to the 2027 draft bucket.
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel surveyed the field before kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium, showing his usual pregame focus. On December 8, 2024, in Minneapolis, Van Ginkel prepared for another NFC matchup as Minnesota’s defense readied for a game with postseason stakes inside the home venue. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Too, the Vikings may field a defense without Harrison Smith for the first time since 2011. Intrigue aplenty.
Expectations for the Head Coach
O’Connell has unequivocally proven his ability to win from September through early January.
Since he arrived in 2022, he has transformed the Vikings into one of the league’s more constant winners, earning the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2024 — a testament to Minnesota’s success and O’Connell’s role in stabilizing the franchise. The Vikings have the league’s fifth-best win percentage on his watch.
Meanwhile, Flores has constructed a formidable defense, and O’Connell’s offense has typically provided the team with enough resilience to remain competitive. The next crucial step for O’Connell is securing a playoff win.
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It’s no longer sufficient to state that the Vikings are well-coached and competitive; that much is understood. The pressing question now is whether he can deliver when the postseason tournament begins. It’s where the 2026 season becomes particularly intriguing. Minnesota’s roster appears capable of contending, with a defense that should perform well on the road and dangerous offensive playmakers. Should the quarterback situation be resolved, the Vikings are expected to be in the playoff hunt from the outset.
When January arrives, the dynamic shifts. Can O’Connell overcome formidable opponents like the Los Angeles Rams in high-pressure situations? Can his offense avoid faltering in a playoff game? Can he win at all? Legitimate concerns
O’Connell has earned oodles of trust and goodwill, but he must win in mid-January.
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Kovacic is set to stay at City this season after talks with the club hierarchy. The Croatian only has one year remaining on his contract and had been linked with a return to Inter but has been backed to be part of Enzo Maresca’s squad at the Etihad.
Kovacic told reporters in Hong Kong that he never felt any doubts from the club over his future and is happy to remain in Manchester for another year. Having missed most of last season with injury after needing two separate surgeries on an Achilles problem, the Croatian is looking to make up for lost time and prove his importance to Maresca.
“I didn’t feel the question marks from them. I spoke with them, it was that they count on me, which was important for me to hear that from them,” he said. “And now, like I said, for the players it’s always on you to show your best version, because if you’re playing good, the manager will put you first.”
The BGMI Masters Series (BGMS) Season 5 will begin on August 10, 2026, with 24 teams. Nodwin Gaming has not yet revealed the names of all the participants. The tournament will take place in three stages, including League, Playoffs, and Grand Finals, and will be hosted offline in Delhi NCR.
The BGMS is a major third-party Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) event. Every year, Nodwin Gaming organizes this contest with a huge prize pool. The previous four seasons of the tournament have attracted massive viewership and were among the most successful BGMI events.
The inaugural edition of the BGMS featured a huge prize pool of ₹1.52 crore. The second and third editions boasted ₹2.1 crore and $1 crore, respectively. The fourth iteration was held with a total prize pool of ₹1.43 crore.
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Dates for BGMS Season 5
The League Stage of the event will be held over three weeks, from August 10 to 30; the Playoffs will be hosted over three days, from August 31 to October 2; and the Grand Finals will be held from September 4 to 6, where the top 16 teams from the previous two stages will fight for the trophy.
Here are the dates for each stage of the event:
1) League Stage
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League Week 1 – August 10 to 13
Bounty Weekend – August 14 to 16
League Week 2 – August 17 to 20
Super Weekend 1 – August 21 to 23
League Week 3 – August 24 to 27
Super Weekend 2 – August 28 to 30
2) Playoffs – August 31 to September 2
3) Grand Finals – September 4 to 6
Of the 24 participants, 20 will be invited directly to the BGMS Season 5. Four teams from the TVS Raider Wicked Battles have qualified for the contest.
Santa Esports emerged victorious in the TVS Wicked Battles 2026. White Walkers, Hexnova, and Aura X Esports were second, third, and fourth, respectively. These four underdogs have secured their spots in the BGMS Season 5.
K9 Esports was the winner of the previous edition of the tournament. The omega-led roster put in a top-notch performance to win its first major title. However, the organisation bid farewell to the lineup on April 18, 2026; they will be seen playing under Team Outrage’s banner in the upcoming BGMS Season 5.
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In the coming days, Nodwin Gaming will reveal all the event details, such as format, schedule, prize pool, and more. All matches of the tournament will be livestreamed on Nodwin Gaming’s YouTube channel.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes India’s chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final hang heavily on the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, warning that the visitors are in a “tough position” in the race for the summit clash. India will begin their Sri Lanka tour with the opening Test on August 15. After nine matches in the current WTC cycle, India occupy fifth place in the standings with four wins and four defeats, giving them a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, sit just below them in sixth place. They have registered one win, one loss and two draws so far, with a PCT of 41.67. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted how significantly the standings could change depending on the outcome of the two-match series. He pointed out that a 2-0 defeat for India would dent their qualification hopes while boosting Sri Lanka’s prospects. “If we lose 2-0, we will remain at only 39 percentage points, and Sri Lanka will jump to 61 percentage points, and they will be No. 4. Sri Lanka will be in the run if they beat India 2-0. Then they have a realistic chance of going forward, or else it’s a so-near-yet-so-far story for them,” Chopra said. He added that a clean sweep would improve India’s position, although not dramatically, while a drawn series would do little for either side. “If we win this series 2-0, we will reach 57.58 percentage points. If we do a clean sweep, we will gain a little. If we draw the series 1-1, we won’t gain anything because we will be at 48.48 and Sri Lanka will be at 44.44, and the positions will remain as is,” he added. Chopra also underlined the difficulty of India’s remaining WTC schedule. After the Sri Lanka series, India are set to travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series before hosting Australia in a five-Test contest early next year. According to Chopra, the shorter away assignments leave little room for error. “Going forward, we have a two-match series in New Zealand, where it is difficult to win. Even if you lose one match, you lose 50 percentage points. It’s going to be a tough one, and after that, there are five matches against Australia in India. India is in a tough position,” Chopra added. India’s upcoming assignments present a stern challenge. They have not won a Test series in New Zealand since the 2008-09 tour under MS Dhoni and have managed just two series victories there overall. The home series against Australia is also expected to test India after recent setbacks against SENA opposition. India were whitewashed by New Zealand and South Africa in successive home series, with the defeat to South Africa marking their first home Test series loss to the Proteas since 1999-2000. Under Temba Bavuma, South Africa also completed the rare feat of winning the ICC World Test Championship title and a Test series in India in the same year. India could also face a stiff examination in Sri Lanka, particularly against spin, an area that troubled them during their recent home series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa.
The hands of an esport gamer clutching the controler at Encore Esports Gaming Lounge in New Rochelle on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
E Sports
Three teams pulled off come-from-behind wins on Tuesday in the tightly contested quarterfinals of the Games of the Future Dota 2 tournament at Astana, Kazakhstan.
Team Resilience, Yakult Brothers and Rune Eaters rallied for 2-1 wins over Xtreme Gaming, Vici Gaming and LGD Gaming, respectively.
The day’s other match also ended in a 2-1 result, with PlayTime outlasting GLYPH.
The $1 million tournament began with 16 teams divided into four groups for the opening double-elimination stage. All group-stage matches were best-of-three.
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The second- and third-place sides from each group faced off in the preliminary playoff round, and the fourth-place squads were eliminated.
The single-elimination playoffs will feature best-of-three matches until the grand final on Wednesday, which will be best-of-five. The winning team will earn $350,000.
On Monday, Xtreme Gaming opened with a 31-minute win on red before Team Resilience claimed the next two maps on red, in 47 minutes and 43 minutes. Yang “Erika” Shaohan paced all-Chinese Team Resilience with a 17-7-24 kill-death-assist ratio.
After Vici Gaming logged 32-minute victory on green, Yakult Brothers won twice on green, in 34 minutes and 47 minutes. Zhou “Emo” Yi led all-Chinese Yakult Brothers with a 27-2-26 K-D-A ratio.
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Rune Eaters recovered from a 34-minute defeat playing on green against LGD Gaming to level the match in 55 minutes on red. On the decisive third map, Rune Eaters triumphed in 40 minutes on green. Nikita “Nicky’Cool” Ostakhov produced a 22-19-44 K-D-A ratio for all-Kazakhstani Rune Eaters.
PlayTime sandwiched a 32-minute win on green and a 33-minute victory on red around GLYPH’s 61-minute win on green. Peru’s Maximo “Wits” Orozco Alza amassed a 27-6-47 K-D-A ratio for PlayTime.
In the semifinals on Tuesday, PlayTime will oppose Team Resilience, and Yakult Brothers will square off with Rune Eaters.
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Games of the Future prize pool
1. $350,000
2. $160,000
3. $120,000
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4. $70,000
5-8. $35,000 — GLYPH, Xtreme Gaming, Vici Gaming, LGD Gaming
9-12. $25,000 — Execration, Yellow Submarine, REKONIX, Zero Tenacity
13-16. $15,000 — Amaru Gaming, Midas Club, Enjoy, L1GA TEAM
The anticipated farewell for champion jumper Stern Idol did not go according to script, as the horse finished outside the top three in its final race.
Stern Idol, the commanding $1.90 favourite, finished fourth under jockey Will Gordon, trailing the winner by 12 lengths in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) at Sandown on Sunday.
Attempting to secure a fourth consecutive win in the race named after a prominent Australian steeplechaser, Stern Idol was not at its previous best on Sunday and made several jumping errors.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, described it as a disappointing end to a remarkable career but stressed that Stern Idol completed the race safely.
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“Will said he didn’t feel like he was at his best and clearly, he wasn’t,” Turnbull said.
“He didn’t travel as strong and as bold as he normally does and made a few errors down the back.
“There were a few nervous moments late, but thankfully he came back to the yard standing and he pulled up pretty well.
“It’s sad to see him go, but he made it around safe, which is what counts.”
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Racegoers present gave Stern Idol a round of applause as the field passed the finishing line for the first time, with another cheer when the horse returned to the mounting yard.
“There were 20 Ballarat staff that came down, there was Cranbourne staff, Fingal staff, they have all made the effort to come out here which is great,” Turnbull remarked.
“It’s more than the sport, it’s more about the horse.
“It’s hard to draw comparisons with a flat horse, but he is the best jumper, so to see him finish, and know he’s finishing up, that’s the strangest part.”
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The Patrick Payne-trained Sing For Peace ($3.20) took out the race, winning by a nose from Mr Lincoln ($18), with Hit The Road Jack ($5) finishing third, two lengths adrift.
Neil Greaves, representing the Payne stable, suggested that jumps racing itself was the ultimate winner.
“It’s a perfect time to salute the great Stern Idol,” Greaves commented.
“He didn’t win today, but he’s been a great jumper over the last four years.
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“The scene is changing and we’re lucky enough to have some of the better ones at the moment.”
The Payne stable also had success earlier in the day, winning the opening race with Split.
However, jockey Tom Ryan was the star of the day across the three jumps races at Sandown, clinching a feature race double after winning the Grand National Hurdle on Andy Win.
Ryan guided Sing For Peace to victory in the Australian Steeplechase and admitted he thought the gelding had thrown the race away with a poor jump around 1200 metres from the finish.
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“He made a really bad mistake, and I don’t know how he stood up, to be honest,” Ryan said.
“But he made a really good jump at the last and it was do or die and he battled on all the way to the line.
“I didn’t think I had held on, but luckily, we did.”
Keen to get involved in the action? Check out the latest racing odds for upcoming events.
Cape Verde’s highly-regarded manager Bubista, who led the island nation to a remarkable World Cup debut last month, has been appointed manager of Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane, the club announced on Tuesday.
No details of his contract were immediately available, but the appointment follows protracted negotiations that reportedly considered Bubista juggling both the national team and club roles.
However, media reports indicate the 56-year-old is expected to resign from his Cape Verde position within days.
Renaissance Berkane, a formidable force in Moroccan football, secured the league title in 2025 and finished as runners-up this year. They also reached the semi-finals of the African Champions League last season and are set to compete in the continent’s premier club competition once more.
Bubista, whose real name is Pedro Leitao Brito, was named African Coach of the Year in 2025 after securing Cape Verde’s historic World Cup qualification.
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Vozinha has got a big move to Chile following his World Cup heroics (AP)
At the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States, his team achieved shock draws against Spain and Uruguay, before suffering a narrow extra-time defeat by eventual finalists Argentina in the round of 32.
Bubista is not the only star from the Cape Verde setup to get a big move following the team’s fairytale World Cup run.
Goalkeeper Vozinha, whose Instagram following skyrocketed during the tournament after his heroics against Spain in the group stage, has been signed by Chilean club Colo-Colo.
The 40-year-old is now fighting for permission to use his footballing nickname on his shirt when he makes his debut for the club, with current league rules in Chile not allowing players to have their nicknames on theirjerseys.
For the personal identification of players, the paternal and/or maternal surname must be printed on the upper back of the jersey, between 5 and 5.5 cm high, and the initial of the first name may be added, according to the league’s regulations. They also expressly prohibit the use of nicknames.
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“Nicknames, appellations, or sobriquets will not be permitted. If there are players with the same surname at a club, the initial of the first name or the second surname, in that order of precedence, must be added to distinguish them,” the rules continue.
But there have been previous exceptions allowed by the Chilean football association (ANFP) and Colo-Colo are hoping they will allow the veteran goalkeeper, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, to use Vozinha, as he did during the World Cup.
But still, the 37-year-old never seemed in any danger of losing, whereas Joshua was almost knocked out within the first 20 seconds of his contest against Kristian Prenga.
‘AJ’ then suffered a second knockdown in the opening round, before climbing off the canvas and ultimately stopping his opponent in the following three minutes.
Prior to these two performances, Frampton struggled to select a winner but is now somewhat confident that Fury has the beating of his domestic rival.
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Speaking to Boxing Now, the Irishman explained that Joshua – because of his power – could knock Fury out; however the more likely outcome, he suspects, is a ‘Gypsy King’ triumph.
“[Joshua] still has a chance – and Fury didn’t look great in his fight [with Wach]. [But] I’d say a lot of people have Fury as the favourite. I [too] have him as a favourite now.
“[I have it] 60/40, maybe. [But] it wouldn’t surprise me if AJ lands and takes him out.”
Frampton went on to praise the bravery shown by AJ to climb off the canvas to get the victory.
“Very brave performance. The first round was a disaster, it’s a criticism you can throw at AJ a lot, that he starts very slow and you can’t really afford to do that as a heavyweight. Strange performance, legs looked a little bit stiff, looked to be an issue with the legs, but you can’t question his bravery from coming back and doing what he did.”
Joshua vs Fury is expected to take place in November and will be streamed live on Netflix.
Moses Itauma (left) vs Filip Hrgovic would be a fitting vacant-title fight (Getty)
Now 21-year-old Itauma, who has long been touted as a future champion, will fight for a world title for the first time. If Itauma were to win, he would become the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson.
“A lot of people have high expectations of him, as I have by the way,” Queensberry Promotions’s Frank Warren told the BBC.
“We signed him when he was 16, he was an amateur. We sponsored him and he turned professional with us. And he’s been amazing and sort of taken the world by storm. This is a big moment for him, but I’m confident he can do it.”
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Itauma had been ordered to negotiate a fight with Frank Sanchez for the vacant IBF title, but the Cuban stepped aside on the condition that he would face the winner of Itauma vs Hrgovic.
“We paid [Sanchez] some money,” Warren said. “We said whoever wins the fight, you’re not losing out, and you’ll get the opportunity to fight for the title against the winner.”
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Meanwhile, Hrgovic, 34, is on a three-fight win streak since his sole professional loss – a stoppage by Daniel Dubois in 2024. Since that loss, Hrgovic has defeated three Britons in a row: Joe Joyce and David Adeleye on points, and Dave Allen via stoppage in May.
A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on display before kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. On Oct. 19, 2025, fans gathered in Minneapolis as the Vikings prepared for another important regular-season test in front of a packed home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The Georgia alumnus got added last offseason from within undrafted free agency. He was among the many UDFA players to crack the 53-man roster for 2025. Most of his contributions came as a special teams asset but he played on defense, albeit in a modest manner. Any chance the unheralded sophomore gets more run than people anticipate?
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The Vikings’ In-House Pass Rusher Option
Standing at 6’1″ and weighing roughly 245 pounds, Chambliss is a touch small for the position. An ideal world would involve being longer; think a frame that’s closer to Danielle Hunter as being the ideal.
But then there’s another interesting detail: Eric Wilson, himself a UDFA talent once upon a time, doesn’t boast the best build and has still found a way to shine. Could Chambliss see what the veteran did and then go do likewise? It’s a lofty goal that’s unlikely to be attained, but Wilson is someone to emulate.
Aug 22, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle John Ojukwu (61) blocks Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chaz Chambliss (57) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
During the 2025 season, Chambliss played in a dozen games. His total workload finished off at 25 snaps on defense alongside 183 snaps on special teams. In all likelihood, he’s looking at a similar dynamic going into the current season — a workload heavily tilting toward special teams — but he’s trying to change that modest outlook. He can do so if he proves capable of walloping the quarterback with some regularity.
As for statistics, Chaz Chambliss didn’t get totally shutout as a rookie. He had 8 tackles and 1 sack as a rookie.
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The defender played his college ball for Georgia, overlapping with players such as Lewis Cine and Ty Ingram-Dawkins. His final season involved 40 tackles alongside 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. Not earth shattering, but some production from within one of college football’s foremost programs.
Given his build, Chambliss may need to dabble with being an off-ball linebacker. Doing so would enhance his appeal for Brian Flores, a coordinator who enjoys working with smart, versatile players. Offering up some of that coveted versatility allows the DC to increase the pre- and post-snap chaos, creating confusion along the way.
And, to be sure, there’s something to be said for just pinning one’s ears back. After Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, the Vikings’ in-house edge rusher options don’t inspire huge optimism. Think Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and a couple others. Nice depth but nobody who can be identified as fully settling the EDGE3 debate.
What’s odd is that Minnesota doesn’t appear too worried, suggesting there are players in town who can do well when called upon. Is there untapped potential in Chambliss?
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Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers tight end Jake Briningstool (9) catches a pass behind Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Chaz Chambliss (32) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Getting him to the Twin Cities meant sending over $220,000 in guaranteed money, per Over the Cap. The implication is that several teams were competing for his services after the draft. Former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did well at bringing undrafted talent to town; Chambliss is merely one example of that approach paying off.
Choosing the Vikings worked reasonably well for both sides. Things will look ever better if the sophomore blossoms into a mainstay of the pass rushing rotation in 2026.
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